What's a Hobson's Choice? - 15 April 2009

<p>What's a 'Hobson's Choice'?<br> <br> If you're facing a Hobson's choice, you don't really have much to choose from. The phrase describes a situation in which your options are either to take what's offered, or else take nothing at all. Martha offers some choice words about the origin of this term.<br> <br> Recently a friend emailed to ask about a curious phrase she'd run across. A newspaper columnist argued that when it comes to fixing the economy, the Obama administration faces a Hobson's choice. In other words, the writer said,<br> shoring up U.S. banks may...